"Why now?" Kaji finally speaks up, snappish. "Why-" He shakes his head. "We failed your test last time. I get it. Give us the power to walk across the crystal fields months ago, and we would have charged straight at Garland and lost."

"But-" Kaji's look is hurt, more so than angry. "My daughter was lost to Crystal Stasis only a week ago. I don't even need to know why you waited, forget it. But I want you to know what your inaction has cost us. Because I know no matter what test you put in front of her she would have overcome it."